Adults 65 and Older Need a Flu Shot

[Pages:2]Adults 65 and Older Need a Flu Shot

Information for adults 65 and older

Influenza (the flu) is a serious illness, especially for older adults.

FACT: People 65 years and older are at high risk of serious flu-related complications.

People's immune systems become weaker with age placing people 65 years and older at high risk of serious, flu-related complications. While flu seasons can vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. It's estimated that between about 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths in the United States have occurred among people 65 years and older. For seasonal flu-related hospitalizations, people 65 and older account for between about 50 percent and 70 percent of the estimated total.

An annual flu shot is the best protection against the flu.

FACT: While flu vaccine can vary in how well it works, vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.

Annual flu vaccination is recommended for all people 6 months and older. Vaccination is especially important for people 65 years and older because of their high risk status.

Studies have shown that flu vaccination can prevent flu illness and flu hospitalization. Also, vaccination can make your illness milder if you do get sick.

People 65 years and older can get any flu shot that is approved for use in that age group. There also are two vaccine options available for people 65 years and older that are designed specifically for them, to promote a stronger immune response.

People 65 years and older can get any flu shot that is approved for use in that age group. That includes some traditional, regular-dose flu shots, recombinant flu shots and two other flu shots designed specifically for people 65 and older.

1. A high dose flu vaccine (Fluzone? High-Dose) contains 4 times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot. The additional antigen creates a stronger immune response (more antibody) in the person getting vaccinated.

2. An adjuvanted vaccine (FLUADTM) is standard dose flu vaccine with an added adjuvant. An adjuvant is an ingredient added to a vaccine to help create a stronger immune response to vaccination.

For more information, visit: flu

or call 1-800-CDC-INFO

Flu shots are safe and do not cause the flu.

FACT: The side effects of flu shots are mild when compared to the disease itself.

After getting your flu shot, you may experience some mild side effects. The most common side effects include soreness, tenderness, redness and/or swelling where the shot was given. Sometimes you might have headache, muscle aches, fever, and nausea or feel tired.

The high dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines may result in more of the mild side effects that can occur with standard-dose seasonal shots.

Long-term medical conditions also can put you at high risk for serious flu complications.

FACT: The flu can make long-term health problems worse, even if they are well managed.

Diabetes, asthma, and chronic heart disease (even if well managed) are among the most common long-term medical conditions that place people at high risk of serious flu complications. It is particularly important that all adults with these or other chronic medical conditions receive a flu vaccine every year.

FACT: There are prescription drugs that can treat influenza virus infections. People 65 and older should be treated with influenza antiviral drugs if they get the flu.

If you have flu symptoms--even if you have already had a flu shot--call your doctor, nurse, or clinic. Doctors can prescribe medicine, called antiviral drugs, to treat the flu and lessen the chance of serious illness. These medicines work better the sooner they are started. If you have any or all of the following symptoms, you might have the flu and should call your health care provider and tell them about your symptoms:

? Fever or feeling feverish/chills

? Muscle or body aches

? Cough

? Headache

? Sore Throat

? Fatigue (tiredness)

? Runny or stuffy nose

? Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

It's very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat flu in people who are very sick with flu (for example, people who are in the hospital), and people who are sick with flu and are at high risk of serious flu complications, like people 65 and older.

Take control of your health and fight the flu this season with an annual flu vaccine. Talk to your health care provider about getting a flu shot. For more information about the flu or the vaccine, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit .

CS HCVG-15-FLU-105 11/22/2016

Last Updated November 22, 2016

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